The Underline with a stroller

The Underline is Miami’s newest favorite walk, and it’s getting longer all the time. It turns the space under the Metrorail tracks into a park, with separate paths for walking and biking, butterfly gardens, art and play spaces. For Brickell parents, it’s right out the front door.

When it’s finished, The Underline will run 10 miles from the Miami River in Brickell to the Dadeland South Metrorail station, passing through Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Miami. It opens in phases. The half-mile Brickell Backyard opened in 2021, and Phase 2, the Hammock Trail, opened in April 2024.

At a glance

• LengthSeveral miles open and growing
• SurfacePaved, with separate walking and bike paths in places
• ShadePartial, from the tracks and trees
• HillsFlat
• Best withAny stroller
• CostFree

The path runs right alongside US 1 for much of its length, so expect some traffic noise and plenty of crossings at cross streets. Hold on to toddlers at every crosswalk.

Map

Open in Google Maps

The map is centered on the Brickell Backyard, the first section of The Underline, which starts at the Miami River and runs along SW 1st Avenue next to the Brickell Metrorail station.

What’s open

The Underline is changing fast, so here’s where things stood when we wrote this. Always check the official Underline site for the latest map.

• 🏙️
  Phase 1Brickell Backyard

  About half a mile from the Miami River to SW 13th Street, with butterfly gardens, an urban gym, a dog run, art and gathering spaces.

• 🌳
  Phase 2The Hammock Trail

  About 2 miles from SW 13th Street to SW 19th Avenue, near Vizcaya, with native plantings and the Hammock Playground.

• 🚧
  Phase 3Coral Gables and south

  A 7.36-mile stretch to Dadeland South opening in segments. In August 2026, a new section between Dadeland and South Miami brought the park to about seven miles, with the rest expected by the end of 2026.

The newer southern section includes the Nikki Spoelstra Play Forest near South Miami, which is worth a visit if you live in that direction.

Stroller or carrier?

The Underline is built for wheels. Friends of The Underline describes the park as fully wheelchair accessible, and the paths are smooth and flat.

• 👶
  Best overallAny stroller

  Lightweight and full-size strollers both work. You’ll be lifting it in and out of Metrorail elevators, so lighter is easier.

• 🚆
  Train tripsA compact fold

  If you plan to ride Metrorail one way, a stroller that folds quickly makes busy stations easier.

• 🧸
  Short walksBaby carrier

  Handy for a quick lap of the Brickell Backyard, but it gets hot. Bring the stroller for longer walks.

Neighborhoods along the way

The Underline connects a string of very different Miami neighborhoods, which is part of the fun.

• Brickell. The high-rise financial district at the northern end, with the Brickell Backyard right next to Brickell station. Busy, urban and close to lots of coffee.
• The Roads, Silver Bluff and Shenandoah. Leafy residential neighborhoods along the Hammock Trail. Quieter, with more families out walking.
• Near Vizcaya and Coconut Grove. The southern end of Phase 2 sits near Vizcaya station and the historic Vizcaya estate, a short ride from Coconut Grove.
• Coral Gables, South Miami and Dadeland. The newer southern sections, still opening in segments, run past the University of Miami, South Miami and on to Dadeland South.

If you live near any Metrorail station along US 1, there’s a good chance The Underline will soon run right past you.

Getting there

By Metrorail and Metromover

The Underline literally follows the train. The Brickell Backyard sits next to the Brickell Metrorail and Metromover stations, and the Hammock Trail passes Vizcaya station. Ride the elevators with your stroller, then step right onto the trail. You can also walk one way and ride the train back.

By car

Parking is limited. There’s metered parking along SW 1st Avenue next to the Brickell Backyard, and garages nearby in Brickell. Farther south, look for street parking near the stations and read the signs carefully.

Our favorite walk

1. Start at the Miami River. The northern end connects to the Miami River Greenway, with river views and boats going by.
2. Walk south through the Brickell Backyard. Stop at the butterfly gardens, check out the art and let older kids peek at the urban gym.
3. Keep going on the Hammock Trail. The walking path continues south under the tracks past the Roads and Silver Bluff neighborhoods.
4. Stop at the Hammock Playground. It’s at SW 15th Road and SW 1st Avenue, a natural break point.
5. Turn around or ride back. Walk back the way you came, or head to a nearby station and ride Metrorail home.

Stops along the way

Heading south from the Miami River, these are the spots worth slowing down for:

• The River Room. The northern end, where The Underline meets the Miami River Greenway at SW 7th Street. Great for watching boats.
• The Promenade. Between SW 8th Street and Brickell station, with a sound stage, communal tables and game tables.
• The Oolite Room. Two blocks from Brickell station to Coral Way, carved from native oolite rock, with four butterfly gardens and quiet seating. A lovely place to feed the baby.
• The urban gym and courts. Outdoor fitness equipment, a running track and a flex basketball and soccer court.
• Hammock Playground. At SW 15th Road and SW 1st Avenue, The Underline’s first playground.
• The Rain Garden. At US 1 and SW 17th Avenue, a stormwater garden with flood-tolerant native plants, rock beds and ponds.
• Vizcaya Station Plaza. At 3201 SW 1st Avenue, with seating, native landscaping and a labyrinth for a quiet moment. There’s metered parking at the station.

Restrooms and water

The Underline has hydration stations and some public restroom facilities, but don’t count on finding a restroom whenever you need one, especially in newer sections. Nearby Brickell cafés and the stations are your backup. Bring water and a portable changing pad.

The playground

The Hammock Playground was The Underline’s first playground, with play areas for both younger and older children and a nature theme inspired by Florida’s hardwood hammock forests. It’s a perfect halfway point on a Brickell walk. Farther south, the Nikki Spoelstra Play Forest adds another family stop.

Feeding and nap stops

The Underline has plenty of shaded seating, including benches made of native oolitic limestone. Our favorites for a feed or a nap stretch:

• The Oolite Room. Tucked into a stone canyon with butterfly gardens, it feels calmer than the busy streets around it.
• Near the Hammock Playground. Seating close by, so you can sit with the baby while older kids play.
• Vizcaya Station Plaza. Quieter, with seating and native plantings at the southern end of the Hammock Trail.

The hum of the trains passing overhead is white noise for a lot of babies. Don’t be surprised if yours falls asleep.

Accessibility

Friends of The Underline describes the park as fully wheelchair accessible. The paths are flat and paved, and both Brickell and Vizcaya Metrorail stations have elevators. A few tips:

• Use the walking path. In sections with separate walking and bike paths, the walking side is calmer.
• Plan crossings. The trail crosses side streets along US 1. Use the marked crosswalks and wait for the signal.
• Check elevators. If an elevator is out, it can change your plan. Miami-Dade Transit posts service updates online.

Nature and art

The Underline is designed around South Florida’s native landscapes, which makes it more than just a path.

• 🦋
  ButterfliesButterfly gardens

  The Brickell Backyard’s Oolite Room has four butterfly gardens, the first of many planned along the corridor.

• 🌳
  Native plantsHammock and pine rockland

  Phase 2 added more than 100,000 native plants and trees, including species from Florida’s hardwood hammock and pine rockland ecosystems.

• 🌧️
  StormwaterThe Rain Garden

  A stormwater garden that helps soak up heavy rain while giving the neighborhood a green space.

• 🎨
  Public artArt along the way

  Look for large art installations, including sculptures by Typoe and the Leaning Arches by Athena Tacha on the Hammock Trail.

Coffee and food

Brickell is packed with coffee shops, bakeries and quick lunch spots, many just a block or two from the Brickell Backyard. The Underline also hosts free community programs and events, so check its calendar for family-friendly mornings.

What’s coming next

When it’s finished, Miami-Dade County says The Underline will turn about 120 acres beneath and beside the Metrorail into park space, and the nonprofit behind it expects the completed park to include more than 500,000 native plants and host hundreds of free programs a year. Plans for the full 10 miles include more butterfly gardens, dog parks, exercise equipment, courts, performance areas and art, plus free WiFi at amenity areas.

For families, that means more playgrounds and shaded stops spread along the whole route. If you’re in Coral Gables or South Miami, keep an eye on the official map as new segments open near you.

Free programs

The Underline is more than a trail. The nonprofit that manages it runs free community programs throughout the year, including health and wellness classes, cultural events, educational programs and volunteer planting days. Check the official calendar for family-friendly events, and consider joining a planting day once your little one is older.

Safety and heat

The tracks overhead give some shade, but you’re still walking next to a busy road in the Miami sun.

• Watch the heat index. The National Weather Service issues a heat advisory for Miami-Dade when the heat index is expected to reach 105 degrees or higher for at least two hours. On those days, skip the walk or keep it very short and very early.
• Know the signs of overheating. For you and your baby: flushed or very sweaty skin, unusual fussiness or sleepiness, fewer wet diapers, dizziness or nausea. Get into shade or air conditioning, offer fluids as your pediatrician advises and call 911 if anyone seems confused, faint or unresponsive.
• Never cover the stroller with a blanket. It traps heat. Use a ventilated sunshade made for strollers and a clip-on fan instead.
• When thunder roars, go indoors. Summer storms build fast in the afternoon, and lightning is a real risk on open waterfront paths. Have a plan for where you’ll duck in.
• Walk with a friend and share your plans. Keep your phone charged and let someone know your route, especially early in the morning.

Keep toddlers buckled near US 1, and watch for bikes and scooters at intersections where the paths come together.

Seasons

• WinterDry and comfortable, the best time for a long walk under the tracks.
• SpringWarming up. The butterfly gardens are especially lively.
• SummerHot and humid. The tracks give some shade, but walk early and stay close to stations in case of storms.
• FallStill warm and stormy, with hurricane season through November. Keep walks short and check the forecast.

Rainy day backups

Brickell has plenty of air-conditioned options close to the trail:

• Brickell City Centre, a shopping center a short walk from Brickell station, with places to sit and cool off.
• Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, the historic estate near Vizcaya station. Check hours and admission, and note that much of the estate is outdoors.
• Ride the Metromover, which is free. A loop through downtown is a surprisingly good way to entertain a toddler on a stormy afternoon.

A sample morning

An easy first outing on The Underline with a baby:

• 7:00 a.m.Start at the Miami River end and watch the boats for a few minutes.
• 7:15 a.m.Walk south through the Brickell Backyard, stopping at the butterfly gardens.
• 7:40 a.m.Continue on the Hammock Trail to the Hammock Playground.
• 8:00 a.m.Feed or play in the shade.
• 8:20 a.m.Walk back, or roll to the nearest station and ride Metrorail toward home.

That’s about two miles if you walk both ways, and half that if you ride back.

What to pack

Our short list for a Underline walk with a baby:

• Water for you, plus whatever your baby needs for feeds.
• A ventilated stroller sunshade and a clip-on fan. Never drape a blanket over the stroller.
• A hat and sun protection. Ask your pediatrician what’s right for your baby’s age.
• A portable changing pad and wipes, since changing tables aren’t guaranteed.
• A light rain cover, because summer storms pop up fast.
• A charged phone, with your route shared with a friend.
• A transit card or app, if you plan to ride Metrorail one way.
• A lightweight stroller, since you’ll be using station elevators.

Keep it light. A stroller basket stuffed with gear is harder to push and harder to fold at the end.

Pro tips

• 🚆
  TransitUse the train

  Walk one way and ride Metrorail back. It’s the easiest out and back in Miami.

• 🚦
  CrossingsHold hands at crosswalks

  The trail crosses busy streets along US 1. Take every crossing slowly.

• 🚲
  BikesUse the walking path

  Where walking and bike paths are separate, stay on the walking side.

• 🦋
  GardensStop for butterflies

  The butterfly gardens are a calm, pretty place for a feed.

• 🚧
  UpdatesCheck what’s open

  New sections keep opening. Check the official map before a long walk.

• 📍
  Meeting upMeet at Brickell station

  “Meet under Brickell station” is easy to find by car, train or on foot.

Miami heat is no joke for babies. Walk early or near sunset, keep little ones in the shade, and ask your pediatrician about sun protection and keeping your baby cool.

If you’re postpartum, check with your provider before adding longer walks, and build up gradually. Our guide to postpartum exercise once you’re cleared is a good place to start.

Walk The Underline with us

The Underline is one of the places we expect our first Miami walk clubs to start, especially for Brickell moms who want an easy walk close to home. We’re taking signups now, and founding members help choose the first routes and times.

See everything we’re building in Miami.

More stroller walks in Miami

• Miami Beach BeachwalkSouth Beach to North Beach · our full stroller guide
• South Pointe ParkSouth Beach · our full stroller guide
• Bayfront Park and the BaywalkDowntown Miami · our full stroller guide